PICORNAVIRUS (Enterovirus &

Rhinovirus)

Picornavirus
Represent a very large virus family with respect to the number of members but one of the smallest in terms of virion size & genetic complexity Includes two major groups of human pathogens: Enteroviruses and Rhinoviruses Also known as the foot and mouth disease virus

Properties of Picornaviruses
Icosahedral, 28-30 nm in diameter, contains 60 subunits each of four proteins Composed of RNA (30%), Protein (70%) No envelope Made up of many enterovirus and rhinovirus types that infect humans and lower animals causing various illnesses ranging from poliomyelitis to aseptic meningitis to the common cold Replication occurs in the cytoplasm

Enterovirus
A genus of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases Often found in respiratory secretions and stool of an infected person

Enteroviruses
Poliovirus Coxsackievirus Echovirus

Poliovirus
Affects the motor neurons of the spinal cord resulting in flaccid paralysis Most are subclinical Affects the CNS in serious forms

Characteristics of Poliovirus
Inactivated at 55C for 30 minutes Purified form is inactivated by chlorine Unaffected by ether or sodium deoxycholate

Incubation period of 7-14 days but may range to 3-35 days

Transmission of Poliovirus
Ingestion The mouth is the portal of entry and multiplication takes place in the oropharynx or intestine

Symptoms of Poliovirus
Includes fever, malaise, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation & sore throat Muscle Atrophy Paralytic Polimyelitis Nonparalytic Poliomyelitis
-stiffness and pain in back and neck for 2-10 days

Specimen: Stool Samples

Treatment: No known cure

Coxsackievirus
One of the leading causes of aseptic meningitis Causes paralysis but since it is incomplete, it is reversible Has two types: Group A and Group B Coxsackievirus Both groups A and B cause nonspecific febrile illness, rashes, upper respiratory tract disease and aseptic meningitis

Group A Coxsackievirus
Tend to infect the skin and mucous membranes Causes Herpangina, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis and hand-foot-mouth disease

Group B Coxsackievirus
Tend to infect the heart, pleura, pancreas and liver Causes pleurodynia, myocarditis, pericarditis, and hepatitis

Characteristics of Coxsackievirus
Incubation period of 2-9 days Found in the throat for a few days early in the infection Found in stool for up to 5-6 weeks Shares many characteristics with poliovirus

Transmission of Coxsackievirus
Ingestion Fecal-oral route

Symptoms of Coxsackievirus
Fever, Nausea, Flu-like symptoms Sore throat Rashes on hands, mouth and feet

Specimen: Throat Swabs, Rectal Swabs, Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Stool, CSF Treatment: No specific treatment other than those that will provide relief for pain

Echovirus
Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan (ECHO) Virus Infects the human enteric tract Highly infectious with children as the primary target

Characteristics of Echovirus
Measures 24-30 nm Virus may spread to the CNS, liver, spleen, bone marrow, heart and lungs Air-borne Most common cause of Aseptic meningitis

Transmission of Echovirus
Person-to-person contact Fecal-oral route Saliva Intake of contaminated water or food

Symptoms of Echovirus
Liver Failure Myocarditis Mild nonspecific illness with low fever Rashes on face, neck, upper extremities and chest

Specimen: Stool, CSF, Body fluids, Tissues manifesting lesions Treatment: No specific treatment since care is directed at relief of symptoms

Rhinovirus
Common cold viruses Commonly recovered from people with mild upper respiratory illnesses Responsible for about of asthma exacerbations

Characteristics of Rhinovirus
Acid-labile Occurs primarily in the nose Most common viral infective agents in humans More thermostable than enteroviruses and may survive for hours on environmental surfaces

Transmission of Rhinovirus
Aerosols of respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces Direct person-to-person contact

Symptoms of Rhinovirus
Sore throat Runny nose Nasal congestion Sneezing Cough Fatigue Loss of appetite

Specimen: Nasopharyngeal Swab

Treatment: No treatment